Season’s greetings from Istanbul Technical University
Dear Colleagues,
As we are approaching a new year, we are in great excitement. I am proud to announce to you that 2023 marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of Istanbul Technical University (ITU). To highlight this landmark year, we are organizing a series of events including conferences, seminars, concerts and sports activities, publishing books and documentaries. One of our main goals, in this respect, is to bring together our students, graduates, academics, employees, and stakeholders from all around the world to celebrate such a special milestone. I, therefore, warmly invite you to join our celebrations!
As it is well known, bees are the major pollinators of our ecosystem. As a university identifying itself with bees, we continue to pollinate science and technology with more than 250.000 graduates in every part of the world. We are working hard to embrace more and more students each year from diverse countries, making international collaborations with many universities, and striving for the best for the education of our students.
ITU is an institution that guides the engineering education of the future. As a strong partner of the European Engineering Learning Innovation and Science Alliance (EELISA), we are defining a common model of the European engineer for a bright and sustainable society. Connecting campuses from different European countries, EELISA also aims to bring the state-of-the-art research to our students. As a research-intensive university, we contribute to this goal with excellent pioneering research projects recently funded by the European Research Council (ERC). Our academics are shaping the future of engineering with these projects involving our graduate and undergraduate students.
I sincerely wish that the New Year brings health, success, and peace to all my dear colleagues, their families and countries. ITU is always open to new collaborations in order to transform our world into a more sustainable environment.
What are the main differences between the F-16, F-22, F-35, and Eurofighter Typhoon?
F-16 : the lightest of the bunch. Single engine multi-role fighter in several generations of upgrades. Nearly 5,000 built. Single air intake underneath the fuselage and one vertical stabilizer along with the main wings and horizontal stabilizers. It probably has the smallest combat radius while having a maximum ordnance load of 17,000 lb. It’s likely the slowest of the 4 as well. Avionics vary by generation but some are getting very advanced upgrades for a light fighter design. A new one will cost you at least $30 million.
EF-2000 : Second smallest of the bunch and there have been over 500 built. Twin engine multi-role fighter with dual intakes under the fuselage and a delta wing configuration with forward canards and 1 vertical stabilizer. It can reach Mach 2 and supercruise. It is getting an AESA radar upgrade to keep its avionics up to par with others. It has some low-observable considerations in its design but is limited. Its combat radius is a little bit better than the F-16 depending on the ordnance load of which it can carry 19,800 lb total. A new one will cost you around $119 million.
F-35: 2nd largest of the group. Single engine multi-role fighter with air intakes on the sides with conventional wings, horizontal stabilizers and two angled vertical stabilizers. It uses extensive computer modeling for low RCS and also has the most recent RAM (but economic) technology so far. It has an extensive ECM suite, situational awareness system and AESA radar with extensive abilities. It can act as a “mini AWACS” and helps to manage and coordinate the battlefield. It carries a limited strike and air-to-air mix of ordinance internally (about 5,700 lb) and can also carry 15,000 lb of ordnance externally. Its combat radius depending on the variant is as good or better than the previous two with just internal fuel and although not a design requirement it can supercruise in sprints of up to 150 miles. A new A variant will cost you under $90 million, B (VTOL) variant around $115 million and the C (naval) variant around $107 million. There have been over 350 made with plans for close to 3,000 across several countries with the US ordering over 1,000.
F-22: the largest and most expensive of the group. A twin engine fighter with wings similar to the F-35’s, it is primarily an air dominance fighter with some secondary strike capabilities. It was was designed with an all-aspect attention to RCS reduction and is the hardest to spot on radar or IR of the bunch. It also is utilized as an intelligence platform analyzing and collecting/intercepting signals. Its AESA radar received an upgrade with the abilities of the newer F-35’s radar. This gave it the improved abilities with the ground strike function added as well as upgrades to include battlefield situational awareness management. Its ECM hardware allows it to recognize, triangulate and guide air-to-air missiles without ever turning on its radar. It was the first to achieve supercruise and flies over mach 2. It can do sprints of at least 100 miles in supercruise. It’s intercept range varies on the use of supercruise but can be the furthest of all the jets on internal fuel. It can carry a full air-to-air load of 8 missiles internally or carry 20,000 lb of external ordnance. A new one would have cost about $150 million but the US won’t sell them to anyone. Only 180+ were made and there are no plans for more.
Turkish American scientist and astrophysicist Feryal Özel of University of Arizona today revealed the first images of the black hole of the centre of the Milky Way.
“Until now we didn’t have the direct picture confirming SgrA* was indeed a black hole,” said Professor Feryal Özel of the University of Arizona, during the press conference earlier today.
“This is the first picture of the gentle giant at the centre of our galaxy.” ~ Feryal Özel
Congratulations to Feryal Özel and her amazing colleagues for all their hard work!
On October 9, 1929, a German theologian named Gustav Adolf Deissmann was cataloguing items in the Topkapi Palace library in Istanbul when he happened across a curious parchment located among some disregarded material. On the gazelle skin parchment was a map, now referred to as the Piri Reis map .
The map was drawn and signed by Turkish cartographer Hagji Ahmed Muhiddin Piri , aka Piri Reis, and is dated to 1513 AD. Reis was an admiral in the Turkish navy, an experienced sailor, and a cartographer, who claimed to have used 20 source maps and charts to construct the map, including 8 Ptolemaic maps, 4 Portuguese maps, an Arabic map, and a map by Christopher Columbus.
Since its discovery, the Piri Reis map has stirred both intrigue and controversy, mostly due to the presence of what appears to be a representation of Antarctica 300 years before it was discovered. Another—if not even more intriguing facet of the appearance of Antarctica—is that it appears to show the land mass before it was covered in ice, over 6000 years ago.
Evidence of Ancient Technology?
The great debate was sparked by Professor Charles Hapgood when he published his theory on the Piri Reis map in his book Maps of the Ancient Sea Kings in 1965. He and a team of students at the University of New Hampshire studied the map and found many anomalies, such as the use of mercatorial projection and the inclusion of a pre-ice Antarctica.
The Greeks were able to create cylindrical maps based on their knowledge of a spherical earth, though mercatorial projection was not used by Europeans until later in the 16 th century, and were also able to use astronomy and geometry to calculate latitude and longitude, though absolute accuracy was not possible until the invention of the chronometer in 1760. While these two feats—amazing as they are—could be explained by use of Greek source maps and charts from the age of Alexander, nothing could explain the inclusion of Antarctica. As a result, Hapgood proposed that the map was based on materials that pre-date 4000 BC, before any known developed languages or progressive civilizations.
This theory implies that a prehistoric civilization had the technology to navigate major seaways and fairly accurately chart the globe. Hapgood also suggested that the topographic depiction of the interior of the continents required aerial capabilities, implying the prehistoric ‘super’ civilization to be both nautical and aerial masters and leading to the further speculation of either an Atlantean or alien civilization. No evidence has been found to support such theories.
South America vs Antarctica
Skeptics of Hapgood’s theory point out that the map is a representation of the South American coastline, pointing to modern physical features of the coast and interior included on the 16 th century map. Otherwise, argue critics, the image would indicate that Antarctica and South America had once been connected at Uruguay, and that Argentina did not yet exist.
While this argument possibly dismisses the presence of Antarctica on the Piri Reis map, other anomalous maps have been found that are identical to the the ice free continent as only 20 th century satellite technology has been able to identify.
Other theories of Hapgood’s have already been dismissed, such as his polar shift theory in which he claimed a sudden shift in the inclination of the Earth’s axis of rotation in 9,500 BC could have resulted in the displacement of Antarctica, sending it hundreds of miles south and resulting in the alteration of its climate from semi-temperate to freezing. All evidence suggests that this shift could not, and did not, occur.
Undiscovered Civilization?
The true question is whether or not Antarctica is the identifiable continent on the Piri Reis map, or any of the other anomalous maps. If it is, could the Piri Reis map have been based on the documents of a yet undiscovered, prehistoric civilization, one that could possess technology enabling them to travel and accurately chart the globe? Regardless of the true origin of the sources, one thing is for certain: this map opens up the debate over how we view our own history and what, if any, of those views are accurate. Perhaps someday the truth will be discovered.
statistical results and correlations could be followed with the URL below..
Research update: April 1, 2020
The first results from our COVID-19 symptom tracking app show that losing your sense of smell or taste is a stronger predictor of coronavirus infection than fever.
According to the NHS, the most common symptoms of coronavirus infection are fever (high temperature) and a new continuous cough.
However, many people are also reporting symptoms such as aches and pains, chills, tiredness, headaches and diarrhoea. But there have also been plenty of anecdotal reports of patients suddenly losing their sense of smell or taste, particularly in the early stages of infection.
Is loss of smell or taste a symptom of COVID-19?
To find out more about the early warning signs of COVID-19, our researchers at King’s College London and ZOE have been analysing data from by nearly 2 million 400,000 ‘stay-at-home scientists’ who have been submitting daily health updates through the COVID-19 symptom tracking app.
We found that of 400,000 people reporting one or more symptoms between 24-29th March::
53% had fatigue or tiredness
29% had a persistent cough
28% suffered from shortness of breath
18% had lost their sense of smell (anosmia) or taste
10.5% were suffering from fever
Of these 400,000 people, 1,702 had been given a test for COVID-19. 579 had tested positive, while 1,123 were negative.
Doing a quick bit of maths tells us that of the people who were definitely infected by coronavirus (i.e. tested positive), nearly six in ten (59%) reported losing their sense of smell or taste compared with only around two in ten (18%) who tested negative.
This map shows the hotspots in the UK where app users are reporting loss of smell or taste:
Our team then crunched all the symptom data together to build a computer programme (model) combining data on loss of smell and taste, fever, persistent cough, fatigue, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and loss of appetite to predict whether someone is likely to be suffering from COVID-19 or not, even if they haven’t been tested for the virus.
When we used the model to look across the 400,000 people who had reported symptoms but not yet had a COVID-19 test, we found that more than one in ten (13%) are likely to be infected by the virus based on their combination of symptoms.
That adds up to an extra 50,000 individuals who are likely to have as yet unconfirmed COVID-19 infections.
Why does COVID-19 cause loss of smell and taste?
Our senses of smell and taste are closely intertwined. Most of what you taste when you eat and drink actually comes from its smell, rather than its effects on the tastebuds on your tongue.It’s not entirely clear why coronavirus infection leads to a loss of smell and taste.
The key probably lies in the olfactory epithelium: a layer of neurons (nerves) and other supporting cells at the back of the nose that detect smelly chemicals in the air and relay this information into the brain.
One idea is that the virus causes inflammation and swelling in the back of the nose, interfering with normal smelly sensations. Scientists at Harvard have also just published a pre-print (non-peer-reviewed results) suggesting that the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19, known as SARS-CoV-2, may infect the supporting cells in the olfactory epithelium that surround the neurons responsible for detecting scents.
What should I do if I lose my sense of smell or taste?
Loss of smell or taste is one of many symptoms of COVID-19, and people respond in different ways to infection (something we’re working hard to understand from the data we’re collecting).
It’s important to remember that the common cold and other respiratory infections can also make you lose your sense of smell. Conversely, you may be infected with coronavirus without suffering any loss of smell or taste at all. And while loss of smell does seem to be a genuine early-warning sign of COVID-19, fever and coughing are still the most important symptoms to look out for.
Our lead researcher Professor Tim Spector says, “When combined with other symptoms, people with loss of smell and taste appear to be three times more likely to have contracted COVID-19 according to our data, and should therefore self-isolate for seven days to reduce the spread of the disease.”
Given the circumstances, the best advice for anyone noticing loss of smell or taste is to treat yourself as being infectious. That means following the Government guidelines and starting self-isolation to protect your family, the NHS and the wider community by stopping the spread.
Other updates
News: the latest COVID estimates
Symptomatic COVID cases continue to fall across the UK even as our contributor base grows to over 2.3 million. Discover our latest estimates across England, Scotland and Wales.
Symptomatic COVID cases fall by 71% over 2 weeks
The number of cases of predicted symptomatic COVID has fallen from 2 million to 582,640 in just over two weeks (01 April to 15 April) according to the latest data from the new COVID Symptom Tracker app.
How long will COVID lockdown last?
Professor Tim Spector and ZOE, CEO Jonathan Wolf share projections on cases of COVID-19 to discuss when the pandemic will end and the risk of ending lockdown too early.
First Minister Mark Drakeford makes urgent appeal
First Minister Mark Drakeford and NHS Wales are appealing to the Welsh public to download the COVID Symptom Tracker app to help the NHS response to COVID-19 in Wales.
You asked: Can food help immunity?
Many COVID Symptom Tracker participants have been asking our scientists whether there are certain foods that they should be eating to help combat COVID-19 or fend off coronavirus infection. We reveal the truth backed by science.
The impact of self-isolation
The latest analysis of data from the COVID Symptom Tracker app, used by over 2 million people, shows the rate of new symptoms being reported nationally has slowed down significantly in the past few days.
Webinar: Predicting symptomatic COVID-19
ZOE and King’s College data science and machine learning teams have been working around the clock to create a machine learning model that uses Symptom Tracker data to predict COVID-19 in the UK. Here’s how they’ve done it.
COVID App updates: March
After receiving thousands of data-points from you on app improvements we are happy to say that we have updated the app experience for you. Here is an overview of new features we’ve made.
How do I delete my data?
You have the right to remove your data from our service at any time. We’ll tell you how it is protected and how you can remove it at any time.
Mapping your symptoms
Our data science team has analysed some of the most commonly reported symptoms in the UK. We’ll show you what they are and where they’re being experienced by those using our COVID Symptom Tracker.
How is your data secured?
Your data is protected under “General Data Protection Regulation” (GDPR) which extends beyond the standard requirements of US data protection regulations. Read more about how your data is protected and the security partners making it possible.
Webinar: Symptom Analysis
Watch our March 30th research update webinar. Doctors and clinical researchers Claire Steves and Tim Spector share an update on the insights they’re learning from the COVID Symptom Tracker and how we’re using it to aid the global health community.
Smoking and COVID-19
We know that smoking isn’t a healthy habit, but have you wondered if it might increase your risk of COVID-19? Dr. Claire Steves and the research team from King’s College London tell us more in our latest update.
How your data will help fight COVID-19 in the US
As the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic grips the United States, we are recruiting millions of citizen scientists across the nation. Our aim is to slow the outbreak of the disease and identify those at risk sooner. Here’s how you can help out from home.
Who are the 1.5 million citizen scientists?
The COVID symptom tracker has now been downloaded over 1.5 million times. As the number of contributors continues to grow we take a look at who they are.
Could non-classic symptoms indicate mild COVID?
Scientists and researchers from Kings College London report the state of the nation’s reported symptoms as of 3pm on 27th March 2020.
King’s College London: The team analysing your data
We talk to Dr. Claire Steves, Senior Clinical Lecturer at King’s College London who is leading the research team analysing your data.
Over 1 million citizen scientists and counting!
The COVID symptom tracker was downloaded over 1 million times in just 36 hours.
How your data will provide clues to tackle COVID-19
Research lead Dr. Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London and director of TwinsUK, discusses how your data will be used.
An unique artifact was discovered in Baku – the decree of the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.
According to Day.Az with reference to qaynarinfo.az the document was discovered by an employee of the Institute of Manuscripts named after Fizuli of the National Academy of Sciences Naila Suleymanova. The publication notes that the document is a decree on donating land.
It is reported that the decree of the Turkish Sultan dates back to the 975th year of the Hijra (1566), it was signed in Istanbul with black, gold and blue ink. The dimensions of the scroll of the document are 30 by 180 centimeters.
The decree also bears the signatures vezirs of the sultan Mohammed bin Abdulkhaya , Partav bin Abdulkhaya, Farhad bin Abdulkhaya, the Kaziaskers Ahmed bin Mustafa, Hussein bin Abdulkhaya and witness Ahmed bin al-Daftari.
Suleiman I the Magnificent (Ganuni) – the tenth sultan of the Ottoman Empire (1520-1566) and the 89th caliph since 1538. Suleiman is considered the greatest sultan of the Ottoman dynasty; under him the Ottoman Porta reached the peak of its development. In Europe, Suleiman is most often called Suleiman the Magnificent, while in the Muslim world Suleiman Kanuni.
An unique artifact was discovered in Baku – the decree of the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.
It is reported that the decree of the Turkish Sultan dates back to the 975th year of the Hijra (1566), it was signed in Istanbul with black, gold and blue ink. The dimensions of the scroll of the document are 30 by 180 centimeters.